The Kalashnikovs of Saudi Forces in Yemen – Part 1

The Saudi military’s various branches utilize a wide variety of small arms, but among those deployed in and along the border with Yemen, derivatives of the Kalashnikov or AK-pattern self-loading rifle are surprisingly some of the most common. This article will explore the different varieties of AK-pattern rifles in use with Saudi forces and how they are used. This study draws its data and sources largely from an extensive private image collection provided to Silah Report of open-source social media photos and videos taken by soldiers of the Royal Saudi Land Forces, the Saudi National Guard, and the Saudi Border Guard and is thus able to paint a uniquely representative picture of the weapons they use. Indeed, the data provided showed that Kalashnikov derivatives make up well over half of the assault rifles in the dataset, far outpacing the presence of the Saudis’ signature G36, G3, and AUG self-loading rifles.

The What:

The AK-103: The 7.62×39mm AK-103 self-loading rifle is probably the Kalashnikov most identifiable with the Saudi military due in part to the wide coverage of their importation from Russia and the subsequent establishment of domestic manufacturing capability of the rifle in Saudi Arabia. The AK-103 is the 7.62×39mm offering of Russia’s 100 line of modernized Kalashnikov rifles. The rifle is also highly visible in promotional material published by the Saudi government and at this point, it is still yet to be determined if there are any major identifiable differences between Russian and Saudi production AK-103 rifles. The AK-103 is well represented in the dataset being the second most common Kalashnikov rifle observed.

Fig.1.1. A selection of AK-103 self-loading rifles. Note the textured grip surface on the handguards on the center rifle (Source: Private Social Media Collection).

Accessories and attachments, like optics, lasers and lights, for these rifles are relatively uncommon and most of these rifles are deployed without any. The most common type of attachment seen is a long slim vertical foregrip which has raised grip surfaces. This same foregrip has been seen on Russian AK-103s. GP-34 under-barrel grenade launchers as well as optics packages are also sparingly seen, being relatively absent in the dataset. Some AK-103s without foregrips also have the aforementioned textured handguards as a part of their furniture to improve the tactical performance of the rifle. This is all in contrast to Saudi promotional images of their AK-103s, which usually show them with a full compliment of tactical attachments. This is not to say that the Saudi military does not possess accessories in necessary quantities, just that the average AK-103 in the field is usually a bare bones one. Most of if not all of these attachments are also of Russian origin. Indeed, based on how common the rifle is in the dataset and the limited amount of attachments present, it should be said that the often reported line that the AK-103 is reserved for Saudi Arabia’s “special forces” is wholly inaccurate as it is actually very common in the hands of regular troops.

The Type 56-1:

The Chinese Type 56-1 self-loading rifle is an AK-patterned rifle with an under-folding stock. It was by far the most common rifle in dataset we examined amongst all others; distinguished by its rounded pistol grip, its heavily ported gas tube, slanted rear receiver and no slant brake as opposed to AKMS patterned under-folders. Type 56-1 rifles in use by the Saudis are also sometimes seen with “Suicide Bullets” attached to their barrels with a spare link from a machine gun belt. This practice originated with Kurdish fighters battling the Islamic State as a way out so as to not suffer torture or grisly execution in the event they were captured.  This practice has been observed both in soldiers deep in Yemen and those who spend most of their time patrolling the border. Although the Houthis don’t have quite the same reputation as ISIS, the fear of that sort of outcome when battling any sort of insurgent group is understandable. This suggests that it serves both the role of a grisly precaution but also a fashion statement. With all this, the Type 56-1 is the ubiquitous companion of the Saudi soldier in Yemen, despite the fact that it is rarely mentioned in publications about the equipment of the Saudi military.

Pm Md. 63/65 and Pm Md. 90:

The Romanian Pm Md. series of AKs are another prolific set of self-loading rifles in Saudi military service being the third most common seen in the dataset we examined. The Pm Md. 90 is easy to mistake for its more commonly known predecessor, the Pm Md. 63/65, as it is identical in all ways with the exception that it has an East German style side folding wire stock instead of it being an under-folder and not having a slant brake, so this is understandable. Pm Md. 63/65s are also seen in Saudi service, though they are less common. Unlike the Type 56-1, the Pm Md. series of Kalashnikovs has been well documented in the Saudi military for quite some time, with them all often being labelled simply as the more prominent Pm Md. 63.

AR-M1F41:

The Bulgarian AR-M1F41 is one of the less common AK variants seen in Saudi service, distinguishable by its AK-100 series style furniture, its AKM style slant brake, and its side-folding skeleton stock. The AR-M1F41 is also the basis for India’s new Trichy self-loading rifle.

AR-M9F:

The similar AR-M9F is another Bulgarian Kalashnikov, almost identical to the aforementioned AR-M1F41, this rifle only visually differs in its muzzle brake versus the latter’s slant brake, at first glance it may be mistaken for an AK-103.

 

Zastava M05:

This Serbian rifle was fairly uncommon in the dataset, only appearing a few times. Note the three holes on the handguard and the small triangle shape made by the side folding stock. This rifle is seen far more often equipping so-called “mercenary” forces speculated to consist largely of Sudanese fighters fighting for the Saudi coalition. The rifle is also prevalent on the Saudi civilian market, so it is possible that the rifles of this type in the dataset come from both sources.

Type 56-2:

One of the rarest rifles in the dataset is the Chinese Type 56-2, with its distinctive shovel handle style of stock. Only two instances of it were observed, suggesting its presence in the region may be relatively small.

In the concluding part of this study we will examine the various civilian owned AK-patterned self-loading rifles which have been seen in use with Saudi forces. We will also look at how Saudi Arabian soldiers use their rifles and draw our conclusions on the proliferation of AK-pattern rifles in Saudi service.

 

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